International Students

West Liberty University welcomes and considers qualified applicants from high schools and colleges/universities located outside the United States, as WLU is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students. 

International applicants will be admitted into an undergraduate program if they have satisfactory academic records, meet program requirements, and meet WLU’s English language proficiency requirements. 

International applicants must submit academic records from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended regardless of whether grades were issued or credit was received. WLU requires that original or certified copies of the original academic documents from non-U.S. institutions be submitted. The required documents include the official academic record (showing course titles, dates taken, and grades received) and diploma(s) or certificate(s) showing degree awarded. These documents must be in the original language of issue and official English translations must be included. Translations must be literal, word-for-word translations and must indicate actual grades received, not an interpretation of the grades, and must be translated by a certified English translator.

If the student has attended a previous college/university, transcripts must be provided by the college/university. Applicants who have studied in the United States are required to have the institution(s) in the U.S. send the official transcript directly to the Office of Admissions.

International applicants wanting to transfer credits to WLU from an institution outside of the U.S. must submit a foreign university transcript evaluation. Foreign academic transcripts must be commercially evaluated by a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES): www.naces.org/members. The student is responsible for evaluation fees.

The evaluation must include the following:

·         course-by-course

·         upper level courses identified

·         credits/hours of instruction

·         course grade and GPA determination

International students are encouraged, but not required, to submit SAT or ACT scores. Please note that SAT or ACT scores are used in determining merit scholarship eligibility.

Students from countries where English Language is not the official language and medium of instruction can prove English proficiency by one of the following:

·         Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): score of 61 (Internet based), 173 (computer based) or 500(paper based)

·         International English Language Testing (IELTS): band score of 5.5

·         Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic): score of 44

·         EIKEN Test: grade 2A

·         SAT: a score of 24 or higher on the Reading Test

·         ACT: a minimum score of 18 on the English section

·         IGCSE/GCSE “O” or “A” Level Certificates from Cambridge International – Grade of C or better in the subject of English

·         Duolingo English Test – 85 +

·         IB Standard Level examination in English (Literature, or Language and Literature): IB English A1 SL or HL examination with a predicted score of 4 or higher

·         CEFR or CEFRL - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: B2

·         IB Higher Level examination in English (Literature, or Language and Literature): IB English B HL examination with a predicted score of 4 or higher

·         CEFR or CEFRL - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: B2

·         Freshman English (ENG 101 or ENG 102) with a grade of C or better from an accredited U.S. college or university

·         U.S. high school diploma or completion of high school (secondary school), including the final three years, in a country where English is the native language and language of instruction.

Documents received by WLU, including original documents, become the property of WLU and cannot be returned to or copied for the applicant. Students who have only one original copy of their credentials should submit certified copies.

All international applicants notified of acceptance into an undergraduate program of interest will be working with the Rollie Williams International Center at WLU to start their F-1 student visa process and issuance of Form I-20 or DS-2019. Before WLU can issue the document necessary to apply for a student visa (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019), students must provide proof that they have the adequate financial resources to cover for their expenses incurred while studying at WLU. All financial documents and a copy of passport (and current U.S. Visa if applicable) must be submitted to the R.W. International Center at WLU.

Additionally, international students must have accident and health insurance in force while they are attending WLU.

Eligible international students can qualify for West Liberty’s academic scholarships. In addition, WLU offers International Student Housing Scholarships to students from select targeted areas.